John Fonfara

Fonfara, Doyle Announce State Funding to Fix Putnam Bridge Between Glastonbury, Wethersfield

State investment will create or retain hundreds of jobs, improve safety for motorists who travel across the bridge

State Sens. John Fonfara (D-Hartford) and Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) announced a major state investment in a rehabilitation project to repair the Putnam Bridge, which spans the Connecticut River and connects Glastonbury to Wethersfield.

“Repair of the Putnam Bridge is a jobs project more than anything, and putting people back to work is a top priority in times like these,” said Sen. Fonfara. “Our commitment is ongoing to keep the state’s road and bridge infrastructure in good repair. The pedestrian walkway for bikers and walkers will encourage us to get out of our vehicles and see the beautiful scenery that Wethersfield, Glastonbury, and the Connecticut River valley have to offer.”

“Transportations investments are key strategies for strengthening economies, because they create good jobs and improve access to communities throughout our state,” Sen. Doyle said. “I am grateful for the state funding for this important project, which will improve access between Glastonbury and Wethersfield for motorists, and now also for pedestrians and people riding bikes. The job creation enabled by this investment is the icing on the cake for this critical project.”

The state Bond Commission today approved a request for $24.4 million for the rehabilitation of the Putnam Bridge. Funding for the project is part of a total of $50 million in funding for various bridge repair projects in the state through the Fix-It-First program. The overall investment will create or retain about 1,295 construction jobs.

The Putnam Bridge project is expected to break ground in spring 2013 and be completed in two years. The four-lane bridge, named for William H. Putnam, a former chairman of the Greater Hartford Bridge Authority, opened in 1959 and underwent a major rehabilitation in 1987. The DOT estimates that about 54,200 vehicles travel over the bridge on an average day. Last fall, the DOT announced it would build a six-foot-wide pedestrian walkway across the bridge to improve access for walkers and bikers.